A Guide to Being Just Friends(101)
She and Hailey were investing, together, in Leo, who would run By the Cup’s food truck. This new venture was one more thrilling piece of her life that, some days, didn’t feel real.
Heading down the hall, she heard the murmurs from the beautiful space where the wedding was being held. She stopped short when she turned the corner and nearly ran into Wes.
“Hey,” she said, smoothing her hands over his black tux. “You look wonderful. Not as good as the bride but pretty damn good.”
He chuckled, pulled her closer. “Back at you. Though, I haven’t seen the bride.” He leaned back, his gaze moving up and down. The heat in his eyes made her grateful she’d splurged on something new he’d never seen. She’d hidden it at the back of their closet. “I’ll peek at her out of respect but I’m pretty sure my eyes will be glued to this dress all night.”
“Shouldn’t you be with Chris? Is he nervous?”
Wes kissed her softly. “He’s not. He’s been ready to marry her since they met. Sometimes you just know.”
She laughed as his fingers came to the chain at her neck. He played with it, lifting it in his fingers.
“And sometimes it takes a bit to figure it out,” she said, grinning at him.
The antique-style baguette engagement ring he’d given her that morning was on the chain. He ran his finger over it before tucking it back under the high reverse V-neck collar of her gown.
“I may take a while to catch on but I’d say it’s worked out okay,” he said, kissing her again. “My mother and Ari are only staying through the weekend. I’d like for us to tell them together. We can tell everyone else after Everly and Chris are back from their honeymoon.”
She nodded, still exhilarated that he’d asked her to marry him. He was the firstborn but he’d be the last to marry. Noah and Grace had surprised everyone six months earlier with a big party at their house which turned out to be a wedding. Grace’s pseudo father, Morty, had officiated, just as she’d done for him the year before.
“Whatever you want,” Hailey whispered.
Wes pulled her close, pressed his forehead to hers because he seemed to need the connection. “I have everything I never knew I wanted.”
“I knew I wanted these things but I didn’t know how much finding the right person, finding you, would fill all the spaces in my heart and my life. I guess what I really dreamed about was finding someone to love me every bit as much as I love them.”
“Here’s to dreams coming true,” he said against her lips.
She smiled into the kiss. Life rarely followed a straight path, but the curves and unexpected detours had a way of leading to the exact right place. Wes took his place between Chris, who had anticipation written all over his face, and Noah, who had that easygoing grin. Hailey’s heart did a happy dance, and she was more grateful than she ever could have imagined being for the bumps and hiccups that had led her here. To him. To all of them.
Acknowledgments
It’s hard to believe the Jansen brothers’ journeys are done. I have absolutely loved writing this series. I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to do so. It is truly a group effort. Thank you, readers, for loving the characters, for wanting more. Thank you to Headline Eternal for the UK versions of my books. I didn’t say it in the last two books but it’s an honor to work with you guys as well as with St. Martin’s Press. It still amazes me that I have multiple covers of my book, different versions. Thank you, Fran, for being my constant champion. Thank you, Alex, for believing in this series, in me, and for making me a better writer. Thank you, Cassidy, Sara, Rivka, and all of the SMP team. There are so many people that helped make this book what it is and I’m grateful to all of you. Thank you to my family: Matt, Kalie, Amy, my mom. For loving my words and loving me and supporting me. To Brenda—you’re like an emotions manager—you should ask for a pay raise. To Sarah and Tara, Nicole, Addie, Stacey and Cole: you make me believe in myself and my stories. Thank you. To all the bloggers, readers, and people who’ve read my books, shared them, enjoyed them: thank you so much. Not only do I get to share my stories, but I’ve made friends and connections that will last long after the book closes.
I hate when things are over. But because books are amazing things that you can read repeatedly, maybe it’s not really the end.